I.C. Fennel Cordial

Name: I.C. Fennel Cordial
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H15M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT1H15M0.000S
Yield: 1 quart
Ingredients: 1 quart vodka; 2 cups fennel fronds, loosely packed; 85 grams granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon fennel seeds; 1 teaspoon cardamom seeds; 10 green cardamom pods; 1 whole star anise

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Level: Easy

Total: 1 hr 15 min
Active: 15 min

Yield: 1 quart

Level: Easy

Total: 1 hr 15 min
Active: 15 min

Yield: 1 quart

Ingredients

1 quart vodka

2 cups fennel fronds, loosely packed

85 grams granulated sugar

1 tablespoon fennel seeds

1 teaspoon cardamom seeds

10 green cardamom pods

1 whole star anise

Directions

Special equipment:

an immersion circulator, one-gallon zip-top freezer bag, coffee filter, sieve

Install an immersion circulator in a water bath and set it to 140 degrees F.
Place the vodka, fennel fronds, sugar, fennel seeds, cardamom seeds, green cardamom pods and star anise in a one-gallon zip-top freezer bag (see Cook's Note). Remove as much of the air from the bag as possible then seal and submerge the bag in the bath for 1 hour (see Cook's Note).
Transfer the unopened bag to an ice water bath. Once cool, strain the mixture through a coffee filter set inside a sieve and discard the solids. Don't squeeze or press the solids to extract additional liquid: It will cloud the liqueur and release off flavors.
Chill before serving.

Cook’s Note

I've found that generic or store-brand bags tend to have seals that fail so spring for national brands and make sure you use freezer bags. If the bag refuses to sink, even after you try sucking out the air, consider adding some weight to the bag. I keep a couple of 1-inch diameter stainless steel ball bearings around for just such a use.